Abstract
Hybrid compositions of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) based graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets were fabricated using pulsed laser ablation technique as an eco-friendly system without using chemicals. The as-synthesized three compositions of GO, AgNPs@GO and CuONPs@GO were investigated structurally and their crystallite size upon Williamson–Hall method were calculated. The resultant data depicted that the surface morphology of these compositions were formed in crumble grains with a porous surface and high density of nano-cracks. The potency of these compositions to degrade methylene blue in aqueous solutions under visible light was investigated. The degradation efficiency achieved was found to be 44.9 %, 89.9 %, 91.7 % and 93.11% for GO (dark), GO (light), AgNPs@GO and CuONPs@GO respectively, after 40 min of continuous exposure. Furthermore, the recyclability of these compositions was examined and the obtained results confirmed that these materials can have almost the same efficiency even after the 5th cycle. Therefore, it could be stated that metallic nanoparticles based on graphene oxide display appropriate configuration to be used for water purification.
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•Nanoparticles of silver or copper oxide-based GO nanosheets were prepared.•The hybrid compositions were fabricated using pulsed laser ablation technique.•The resultant compositions exhibit porous surface with nano-cracks.•The tendency of CuONPs@GO for dye removal was greater than GO and AgNPs@GO.•The hybrid compositions have great efficiency for dye removal even after 5th cycle.